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Michael Jordan spent most of his life under bright lights, but his latest work in North Carolina has unfolded far from the spotlight. The former NBA star has opened a fourth health clinic for uninsured residents, continuing a project that has steadily grown across his home state.
The newest clinic opened in Wilmington in February and is the second Jordan-backed facility in the city. It is part of his ongoing partnership with Novant Health, which focuses on bringing primary care to communities where insurance coverage is limited or nonexistent.
The clinic spans 7,300 square feet and includes 12 patient rooms. It is staffed by primary care physicians and support workers who help patients navigate local services, from transportation to food access. The goal, health officials say, is to treat patients before small issues become medical emergencies.
Jordan first launched the clinics after donating $10 million to Novant Health. The funding allowed the health system to open locations in areas with high numbers of uninsured residents. Early response to the first three clinics in Charlotte and Wilmington was strong, with appointment slots filling quickly.
That demand played a major role in the decision to open a fourth site. Novant Health officials say many patients who use the clinics had gone years without seeing a doctor. Costs, a lack of insurance, and limited options kept them from seeking routine care.
The expansion comes as access to healthcare remains a persistent challenge nationwide. Federal data shows more than 27 million Americans were uninsured in early 2024. Coverage, when available, does not always translate into affordable or timely care.
Public frustration with the healthcare system has also remained high. A YouGov poll conducted in 2024 found that nearly half of Americans were dissatisfied with how healthcare works in the United States, pointing to rising costs and limited access.
Jordan has rarely spoken publicly about the clinics, but people close to the project say the effort is personal. He grew up in North Carolina and has said access to basic services should not depend on income or zip code.
Community leaders in Wilmington say the clinic fills a real gap. Many uninsured residents rely on emergency rooms for routine care, a pattern that strains hospitals and leaves patients without follow-up treatment.
The clinics are not a fix for the country’s healthcare system. Still, for patients who now have a regular doctor for the first time, Jordan’s latest opening represents something simple and rare: a place to go when they need care.
